That makes sense. My Uncle had one when I was a kid and I remember him talking about replacing the wood frame. Guess I always assumed major chassis pieces were wood, but that certainly doesn't make much sense thinking about it now. Doh. Guess I never much thought about that old MG until just now. And I guess I never questioned the "wood frame" cuz as long as he owned it, it was always more of a novelty thrill ride than a car. Tallyho.
Another vote for the aluminum 215 v8 transplant. I knew a guy in college who had one (when the 215 was a new engine) and it was a rocket.His was a 4bbl version and it was backed by a BW 4spd. His dad owned a machine shop so everything, including the narrowed rearend was done to perfection. You couldn't tell it hadn't come from the factory with that little v8. Frank
I agree. And if you're doing a swap, how about putting prejudices aside and dropping in a Mazda rotary? I'm sure it's not worth it. But it's always a cool thing to brag on. In my opinion, a motor swap should be weird. If it gives you good power:weight that's great. But mostly, make sure it's weird. People need to open up their minds and recognize that some of the other types of cars out there are really cool. I'm not saying you should respect the cars that are parked in my driveway, because they're totally lame. But there's a lot of other cool stuff out there that you might dig. Try it you'll like it. And by the way, I'm not suggesting we should be discussing those other cars on the HAMB all the time or anything. But give 'em a chance, will ya?
the buick or olds 215 are lighter then the stock motor.A ton of aftermarket stuff is available from D&D fabricactions.We are putting a 215 in a 1979 mgb right now.They aren't high horsepower motors but are very torquey.I'd say go for it and tell the purists to piss off.
Have a look in the Dean Batchelor book, "The American Hotrod", page 168 - there's an MG parked between a channeled B, and a 29 A roadster, outside a speedshop. Looks in good company with it's white tarp. Do it, but only if you want to... And yes, Morgans still use real treewood for the body framing.
Cross eyed can be overlooked, there's just something about sitting on the axle at highway speeds, and beyond. It just feels right. Absolutly nuthin' trad about one, but they are just cool. And I'm not really a sports car type. Damn I feel a mid-life crisis comming on.
Moss motors sells a lot of replacement parts for T series MG's they also sell a roots type supercharger that bolts to the stock motor, makes them lively. I own a 58 MGA so I am kinda partial to this thread, good luck if you buy it.
How about one of those new Zetec 4 bangers with a side draft carb conversion that KSGERRY has for sale on the HAMB here?
Not sure what you are looking for but I may be able to come up with production numbers and such, I am work (gasp) now so If you tell me specifics I can look in some of the papers I have.
you arent getting it... he didnt say bolt on a bunch of stupid shit. he is talking engine swapping.. its a good idea.
I just logged on and can't believe all the response. Thanks to all. It is a wood framed body which the guy had completely retimbered, hate too think how much that cost, new chrome, rubber etc, pretty much a frame off resto. I'm thinking of stripping the fenders and hood sides, droppin the headlights down, big and littles and going with the 215. Talked to an MGB guy I know says to use a B rear , that it would handle the 185hp in that light a car. The biggest questions in my mind are the front suspension/brakes(its got rack and pinion steering in front of the crossmember), how much of the firewall would have to be cut (theres a surprising amount of legroom once you get in it) or if the frame would need to be stretched and if its strong enough. Also might be tight to fit a trans, the thing is awful damn narrow, I've got an old t-50 that would at least eliminate the shifter and rods. Of course theres all the other details, custom radiator, headers, steering shaft, linkage etc, all the usual rod stuff. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger...
If it's been resto'd it could be worth a fair chunk of change, even with a blown motor. Then it becomes the old argument of, do you de-value a car by cutting it/customizing it? I've wanted to do a TD with open hood sides and a small block for years. Piss of the purists on both sides of the American car/British car fence. Go for it. Damn right this is traditional too.
Oh man - a TD w/ 215? lots of fun, lots and lots of fun. Take it from someone who used to restore and rod Brits.
The only real value that anything has is the value you give it. Right? I like the idea of the aluminum mill in it for a streeter but I would have to suggest that you don't think sports car when you're building it. A hot rod is as far from being a sports car as New Zealand is from New York. They are suppose to be a little unruley. I probably wouldn't try and pass it off as a "Trad Rod" either. Make it quick and make it yours, someone won't like it but for every someone that don't like it there will be another who does. No doubt it will be a hot rod and if you like it when you're done it just don't get any better than that. I guess I'm a little biased but I think you're onto a cool project.
Little OT, but here's a somewhat rat/traditional look to a nontraditional MGB I recently saw at the International Bar-B-Q Festival in Owensboro, KY. Likely SBC powered and looks like a handful!
2 friends of mine back in the "days" put v-8s in em, one was a 289 ford & the other was a 327, 289 looked normal, but the 327 was a bad ride!! Raised in the front, airfilters thru the hood, slicks in the rear.Nice ride. Also theres a guy in Cranston RI who has one now with a 400 sbc in it, its really hi-tech,He runs it without sides on the hood, wheel well headers & a full roll cage.It looks stock except that & the rear tires stick out a little. He turned times in the 9's with it, pretty impressive for a car he drives to the drag strip!! JimV
look for the old Hot Rod magazine engine swap books. There was a swap article in one of them, I believe it was 1967.
Please do it! That would be a match made in heaven. That motor deserves alot more Respect and use, then it ever got! Alu engines in place of a 4 banger, is the Best way. Because it handles like a 4 banger, it goes like 8 cylinders i surpose to go, with out the ekstra weight, of say a 55 Chevy or bigger. Thats real hot rodding, and thinking outside the box makes damn fine cars!!
MG's with motor swaps were pretty common in the day. Here's a Doane Spencer / SOCAL version, complete with Ardun! Gary http://www.mg-cars.net/mgtd-mgtf1500-bbs/flathead-v8-60-200901241454473818.htm
Well, as long as this thread has been brought back from the dead, I'll post a pic of my friend, Dave Smith's '52 MG TD. It has the 215 Buick engine with blower, hooked up to an aluminum case Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed and a narrowed Chevy rearend. Thing weighs about 1900 pounds.
The Jalopy Journal
